Ptarmigan Ptracks

The word Ptarmigan is pronounced Tarmigan, with a silent P. They are a small grouse with fuzzy feet, the official state bird of Alaska. The tracks in this photo were made by two ptarmigan strolling through the woods together. They crisscrossed like this many times and seemed to be enjoying the day.

Ptarmigan are able to walk on snow easily because they have dense feathers that cover both the top and bottom of their feet. Their claws grow longer in the wintertime, too. Besides increasing the size of the bearing surface of their feet, the feathers provide more insulation from the cold.

This time of year (February) the ptarmigan are almost solid white and do not show up against the snow. They undergo three molts a year; each time providing maximum camouflage.

©Photo by Jeanine Littau - with an Olympus Camedia C-2100

The picture used on this page is COPYRIGHTED.